Seneca Valley School District

Securing Schools with Security Window Film

The Challenge: Inconsistent Treatments and Safety concerns

When Jason Young started as Seneca Valley School District’s newest Safety and Security Director, he was bringing years of law enforcement experience and a fresh eye. His assessment of one of the largest districts in western Pennsylvania uncovered significant inconsistencies in previous door and window security treatments. Using a patchwork approach, the work was completed by a handful of different vendors. Some buildings had security window film installed years ago, while others had none. There was also confusion about the effectiveness of different window security treatments and misinformation about the kind of protection treated windows were providing the school district.

Emergency preparedness training emphasizes how glass is an easy access point for potential intruders. The discovery left staff and parents rightfully concerned about their protection levels and response plans in the event of an emergency.

The district wanted confidence that their entry points were reinforced with a layer of high-quality defense across all buildings—without disrupting daily operations. Familiar with the benefits of window film, Young went on the hunt for a window film installation company to bring the consistent protection the district desired.

the Process: Finding the Right Partner

Young knew he wanted to partner with a local company. He began his search online, reading reviews and looking for someone with a strong reputation. Upon finding and connecting with U.S. Film Crew, he was impressed by the team’s quick response and professionalism.

U.S. Film Crew went on-site to learn more about the district’s needs and offer solutions. They spent time discussing the district’s options, making recommendations, and educating on the importance and reasoning of proper window film installation—a key factor to attaining the strength and safety benefits of window film.

During the consultation with U.S. Film Crew, Jason, already familiar with the general benefits of window film, received a detailed window-by-window breakdown on what’s real versus what’s just hype. “You hear all these things, like ‘this will be bulletproof glass,’ and that’s not the case. Sometimes, it’s separating fact from fiction.”

One key reason the district chose U.S. Film Crew was its full-service model. The ability to perform the full scope of work, acting as the school district’s consistent resource for window film solutions across all campuses.

Previously, the district worked with a national company that relied on multiple vendors, leaving no clear record of who performed installations resulting in widespread confusion. In hiring U.S. Film Crew the school district eliminated these risks and frustrations by having one vendor handling every aspect of the job, from consultation, surveying, installation, to the very final quality checks. Jason said the response and communication from U.S. Film Crew was better than what they received from the previous company.

This attention to detail ensures the security film’s longevity and performance. It also gives the school district peace of mind that every step of the project was clearly communicated and properly executed.

The Solution: Full-Service Security Film Installation by U.S. Film Crew

The project required a comprehensive strategy and approach for the installation, including high-risk areas, product installation, project management, warranty options, and care. Security window film is a durable, transparent layer applied to glass surfaces to reinforce against break-ins, accidents, and extreme weather conditions.

A common misconception is that security window film is bulletproof. Young is aware of the true value window film offers: time. “It’s not ballistic protection, but time is crucial. If there were to be gunfire, [window film] is going to give us time,” said Young.

Unlike unprotected glass, which shatters upon impact, the security window film holds broken pieces in place. This slows forced entry attempts while reducing the risk of injury from broken glass. “Two minutes doesn’t sound like a long time, but when you look at the average time of these massacres and tragedies, it’s usually over within two and a half to three minutes.”

Security window film is a useful and cost-effective solution for schools that want to enhance safety measures without major renovations.

If your school is interested in adding security strength to doors and windows as part of its comprehensive safety plan, contact U.S. Film Crew today.